Finger-tip controlled writing utensil and associated method

ABSTRACT

A writing utensil includes a body including a sleeve to receive a single finger tip of the user during writing conditions. A reservoir contains the ink and releases it via an orifice formed at a distal-most end of the body. A mechanism may be included for releasing the ink from a distal end of the body when an external force is applied against the sleeve and towards the distal end of the body. The mechanism may include a nozzle may additionally be conjoined directly to the orifice and contiguously abutted thereagainst so that the ink may be discharged away from the reservoir past the ball bearing while exiting the distal tip of the nozzle.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention relates to writing utensils and, more particularly, to awriting utensil controlled by a single finger tip for enabling a user toeasily write with the single finger tip.

2. Prior Art

With today's heightened awareness of health concerns and constantlyimproving medical care, Americans are living longer than ever before. Asthe baby boomer generation gets older, dramatic increases are expectedin the elderly population. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of the Censusestimates that people 65 and older will comprise 20.4 percent of thecountry's population by the year 2030, up from the current 13 percent.However, if the unprecedented increase in life expectancy has adownside, it is the exposure of risk to chronic age-related disorders.Such serious ailments as diabetes, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseasesare but a few of the disabling disorders that keep many older personsfrom enjoying their longevity. Additionally, the elderly also have todeal with physical infirmities brought on by the inevitability of aging.The scientific journal Age and Aging reports that some 50% of personsover the age of 65 have osteoarthritis, and one-half of those areseriously disabled by the disease. However, challenges presented tothose with limited mobility are not exclusive to the elderly. Accordingto other statistics provided by the Census Bureau, nearly 8 percent ofAmericans between the ages of 15 and 64 suffer from some form ofdisability that hinders independent movement. Adding to these numbersare those with temporary ailments, such as broken bones or postoperativeconditions.

As many with limited mobility can easily attest, attempting to completeday to day tasks without assistance can be daunting and frustrating.Arthritic patients often find it very difficult, if not impossible, tolower themselves to or rise from a seated position without experiencingextreme pain. Even simple endeavors, such as signing one's own name toimportant documents, can be fraught with challenges for those witharthritis, as well as individuals who experience paralysis as a resultof a stroke. Unable to achieve a firm grip on a writing instrument,something that was once second nature, has become an impossibility formany Americans.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,529,415 to Bishop discloses a fingertip pen writercomprised of a finger portion adapted to be removably secured to afingertip of a user. The finger portion has a holding chamber formed inan upper portion thereof. The finger portion has a ball point pen tipsecured to an open end portion outwardly extending therefrom. An inksupply tube is secured within the holding chamber of the finger portion.The ink supply tube couples with the ball point pen tip of the fingerportion for supplying ink to the ball point pen tip. Unfortunately, thisprior art reference requires an ink supply tube that is cumbersome tohold and control during writing procedures.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,556 to Brown discloses a finger-mounted ball pointpen utilizing a padded tray that passes along the ventral side of theindex finger, with a padded tip, and a hook and loop strap which securesthe end of the index finger to the tray. Once secured to the indexfinger, the user can write in a normal fashion with little or no supportfrom the other fingers or the thumb. Unfortunately, this prior artreference requires use of a strap, which can become loose anduncomfortable when rubbed against the user skin.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,986,682 to Chin Lu discloses a fingertip-receiving penincluding a short hollow penholder for receiving a finger and a writingelement coupled with a compression spring and attached to a socketwithin the penholder. The socket includes a unitary resilient hookmember which can be forced to be seated in a hole extending through theside wall of the penholder so that the writing element can be firmlypositioned when it is pushed by a finger to protrude beyond the frontthrough-hole of the penholder. As soon as the resilient hook member ispressed to disengage the penholder from within the hole, the writingelement is immediately pushed by the compression spring to completelymove back inside the penholder so that the pen conveniently can becarried by oneself. Unfortunately, this prior art reference requires aspring member that can become distorted due to fatigue over repeateduse.

Accordingly, a need remains for a writing utensil controlled by a singlefinger tip in order to overcome the above-noted shortcomings. Thepresent invention satisfies such a need by providing a device that isconvenient and easy to use, is durable yet lightweight in design, isversatile in its applications, and provides a user with a means ofeasily writing with the single finger tip.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of thepresent invention to provide an apparatus for enabling a user to easilywrite with a single finger tip. These and other objects, features, andadvantages of the invention are provided by a writing utensil controlledby a single finger tip.

The present invention includes a writing utensil controlled by a singlefinger tip for enabling a user to easily write with the single fingertip may include a single and unitary body. Such a body may include asleeve formed therein and may be adapted to receive a single finger tipof the user during writing conditions. Of course, one skilled in the artunderstands that the body may be produced in a variety of sizes toaccommodate different user's fingertips, including a user's thumb ifdesired. A predetermined quantity of ink may be housed within the bodyand maintained distal to the sleeve. The ink is preferably injected intothe reservoir and sealed with a conventional sealant, in a manner wellknown in the art. The body may house a variety of ink colors, or otherhighly viscous illuminating liquids as desired by the user, as isunderstood by one skilled in the art.

Further, a mechanism may be included for releasing the ink from a distalend of the body when an external force is applied against the sleeve andtowards the distal end of the body. In addition, the body may be formedfrom flexible and non-porous material for prohibiting the ink fromprematurely leaking through the body which is vital and advantageous forprohibiting the ink from coming in contact with the user and therebypreventing the mess that would otherwise result. Also, the sleeve mayhave a closed distal end disposed proximal to the ink and the inkreleasing mechanism respectively.

The ink releasing mechanism may further include a reservoir oppositelypositioned from the sleeve such that the reservoir is distally spacedaway from the sleeve. The reservoir contains the ink and releases it viaan orifice formed at a distal-most end of the body. Such an orifice isin fluid communication with the reservoir for channeling the ink awayfrom the reservoir. The orifice is preferably formed through the outersurface of the body and directly enters the reservoir. The nozzle mayadditionally be conjoined directly to the orifice and contiguouslyabutted thereagainst so that the ink may be discharged away from thereservoir past the ball bearing while exiting the distal tip of thenozzle. Such a direct interconnection between the nozzle and orificesolves the problem of premature and undesirable leaks from the reservoirby providing an unpredictable and unexpected result which is notrendered obvious by one skilled in the art. Further, the nozzle may beprovided with a plug dynamically fitted at a distal tip of the plug. Theplug may include a ball bearing permanently connected to the nozzleduring writing and non-writing conditions. Such a ball-bearing isrotatably mated to the nozzle and carries ink on its outer surfacewherein it is transferred to a writing surface as the ball-bearingrotates against the nozzle.

In an alternate embodiment, the plug may also be linearly retractedalong a longitudinal length of the nozzle when an upward force isexerted thereagainst, to release the ink from the reservoir. The distaltip of the nozzle may be expanded to a tensed position when the externalforce is exerted against the plug to thereby permit the ink to flowbeyond the plug during writing procedures. The plug may return to adistally-oriented equilibrium position when the external force isremoved from the plug. Thus, the plug does not rotate at the distal endof the nozzle. Rather, it linearly slides up and down the longitudinallength of the nozzle. Thus, the proximal end of the nozzle remainsstatically affixed to the orifice while the distal tip of the nozzle isexpanded to the tensed position so that the plug is prohibited fromtraveling too far up the nozzle and thereby maintained downstream of thereservoir.

The sleeve may further have a deformably resilient inner layer adjoiningthe reservoir. Such an inner layer may be displaced towards thereservoir during writing conditions such that the reservoir may becomecompressed and thereby urge the ink towards the distal tip of thenozzle. This feature is advantageous for overcoming prior artshortcomings of not adequately releasing ink from the reservoir.

Additionally, the reservoir may be compressed when an external force isurged against an outer surface of the distal end of the body such thatthe ink is downwardly discharged through the orifice and the nozzlerespectively. The deformably resilient nature of the sleeve andreservoir allows the use to press down towards the reservoir anddischarge air-pockets therefrom so that the ink freely egresses from thenozzle tip.

The present invention, as claimed, provides the unexpected andunpredictable benefit of allowing the user to massage the outer layer ofthe reservoir which is distally situated adjacent to the distal end ofthe sleeve and thereby agitate the ink inside the reservoir duringwriting procedures for effectively discharging the ink out from thenozzle. Such a feature of the present invention provides anunpredictable and unexpected result which is not rendered obvious by oneskilled in the art because conventional writing utensils maintain theink in a rigid casing that is not deformably resilient or agitated froman external force exerted by a tip of the user's finger during writingconditions.

The writing utensil may further include a cap removably attached to thedistal end of the body. Such a cap may thereby shield the nozzle fromundesirably foreign debris during non-writing conditions.

The present invention may further include a method for using a writingutensil that is controlled by a single finger tip of a user. Such amethod may include the chronological steps of first providing a singleand unitary body. The body may include a sleeve formed therein andpreferably has an orifice formed at a distal end of the body. The sleevepreferably has a closed distal end disposed proximal to the ink and theorifice respectively.

A second step of the method may include housing a predetermined quantityof ink within the body by injecting the ink upwardly through theorifice. The method may include a third step of maintaining the inkdistal to the sleeve by attaching a nozzle to the orifice.

Fourthly, the method may include inserting a single finger tip into thesleeve during writing conditions such that the single finger tip abutsagainst the closed distal end of the sleeve. Finally, a fifth step mayinclude releasing the ink from the distal end of the body by applying anexternal force against the closed distal end of the sleeve and towardsthe distal end of the body and thereby urging the ink out from thenozzle. The body may be formed from flexible and non-porous material forprohibiting the ink from prematurely leaking through the body.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the invention in order that the detailed description thereofthat follows may be better understood, and in order that the presentcontribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additionalfeatures of the invention that will be described hereinafter and whichwill form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

It is noted the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, especially thescientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiarwith patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from acursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure ofthe application. The abstract is neither intended to define theinvention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is itintended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The novel features believed to be characteristic of this invention areset forth with particularity in the appended claims. The inventionitself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation,together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best beunderstood by reference to the following description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view showing a writing utensil controlledby a single finger tip, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of FIG. 1, showing the cap detached from thebody;

FIGS. 2 a-2 b are cross-sectional views taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1,showing the ink discharging mechanism adjacently positioned to thedistal end of the sleeve;

FIG. 2 c is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the nozzle andplug (ball bearing);

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the hollow interior of thesleeve and open top end thereof; and

FIG. 4 is perspective view of the writing utensil positioned on a fingertip of the user during writing procedures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which a preferred embodimentof the invention is shown. This invention may, however, be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiment set forth herein. Rather, this embodiment is provided so thatthis application will be thorough and complete, and will fully conveythe true scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Likenumbers refer to like elements throughout the figures.

The apparatus of this invention is referred to generally in FIGS. 1-4 bythe reference numeral 10 and is intended to provide a writing utensilcontrolled by a single finger tip. It should be understood that thewriting utensil 10 may be controlled many different fingers and shouldnot be limited to use with only an index finger.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the invention includes a writing utensil 10controlled by a single finger tip for enabling a user to easily writewith the single finger tip may include a single and unitary body 20.Such a body 20 may include a sleeve 43 formed therein and may be adaptedto receive a single finger tip of the user during writing conditions. Ofcourse, one skilled in the art understands that the body 20 may beproduced in a variety of sizes to accommodate different user'sfingertips, including a user's thumb if desired. A predeterminedquantity of ink 45 may be housed within the body 20 and maintaineddistal to the sleeve 43. The ink 45 is preferably injected into thereservoir 42 and sealed with a conventional sealant, in a manner wellknown in the art. The body 20 may house a variety of ink colors, orother highly viscous illuminating liquids as desired by the user, as isunderstood by one skilled in the art.

Further, a mechanism 60 may be included for releasing the ink 45 from adistal end of the body 20 when an external force is applied against thesleeve 43 and towards the distal end of the body 20. In addition, thebody 20 may be formed from flexible and non-porous material forprohibiting the ink 45 from prematurely leaking through the body 20which is vital and advantageous for prohibiting the ink 45 from comingin contact with the user and thereby preventing the mess that wouldotherwise result. Also, the sleeve 43 may have a closed distal enddisposed proximal to the ink 45 and the ink 45 releasing mechanism 60respectively.

The ink 45 releasing mechanism 60 may further include a reservoir 42oppositely positioned from the sleeve 43 such that the reservoir 42 isdistally spaced away from the sleeve 43. The reservoir 42 contains theink 45 and releases it via an orifice 44 formed at a distal-most end ofthe body 20. Such an orifice 44 is in fluid communication with thereservoir 42 for channeling the ink 45 away from the reservoir 42. Theorifice 44 is preferably formed through the outer surface of the body 20and directly enters the reservoir 42. The nozzle 40 may additionally beconjoined directly to the orifice 44 and contiguously abuttedthereagainst so that the ink 45 may be discharged away from thereservoir 42 past the ball bearing while exiting the distal tip of thenozzle 40. Such a direct interconnection between the nozzle 40 andorifice 44 solves the problem of premature and undesirable leaks fromthe reservoir 42 by providing an unpredictable and unexpected resultwhich is not rendered obvious by one skilled in the art.

Further, the nozzle 40 may be provided with a plug 41 dynamically fittedat a distal tip of the plug 41. The plug 41 may include a ball bearingpermanently connected to the nozzle 40 during writing and non-writingconditions. Such a ball-bearing is rotatably mated to the nozzle 40 andcarries ink 45 on its outer surface wherein it is transferred to awriting surface as the ball-bearing rotates against the nozzle 40.

In an alternate embodiment, the plug 41 may also be linearly retractedalong a longitudinal length of the nozzle 40 when an upward force isexerted thereagainst, to release the ink 45 from the reservoir 42. Thedistal tip of the nozzle 40 may be expanded to a tensed position whenthe external force is exerted against the plug 41 to thereby permit theink 45 to flow beyond the plug 41 during writing procedures. The plug 41may return to a distally-oriented equilibrium position when the externalforce is removed from the plug 41. The term plug 41 is not intended todefine a stop member. Rather, the term plug 41 is used in the presentapplication to mean a round and rotatable object that permits ink toadhere to its outer surface and thereby transferred to a writingsurface.

Thus, the plug 41 does not rotate at the distal end of the nozzle 40.Rather, it linearly slides up and down the longitudinal length of thenozzle 40. Thus, the proximal end of the nozzle 40 remains staticallyaffixed to the orifice 44 while the distal tip of the nozzle 40 isexpanded to the tensed position so that the plug 41 is prohibited fromtraveling too far up the nozzle 40 and thereby maintained downstream ofthe reservoir 42.

The sleeve 43 may further have a deformably resilient inner layeradjoining the reservoir 42. Such an inner layer may be displaced towardsthe reservoir 42 during writing conditions such that the reservoir 42may become compressed and thereby urge the ink 45 towards the distal tipof the nozzle 40. This feature is advantageous for overcoming prior artshortcomings of not adequately releasing ink 45 from the reservoir 42.

Additionally, the reservoir 42 may be compressed when an external forceis urged against an outer surface of the distal end of the body 20 suchthat the ink 45 is downwardly discharged through the orifice 44 and thenozzle 40 respectively. The deformably resilient nature of the sleeve 43and reservoir 42 allows the use to press down towards the reservoir 42and discharge air-pockets therefrom so that the ink 45 freely egressesfrom the nozzle 40 tip.

The present invention, as claimed, provides the unexpected andunpredictable benefit of allowing the user to massage the outer layer ofthe reservoir 42 which is distally situated adjacent to the distal endof the sleeve 43 and thereby agitate the ink 45 inside the reservoir 42during writing procedures for effectively discharging the ink 45 outfrom the nozzle 40. Such a feature of the present invention provides anunpredictable and unexpected result which is not rendered obvious by oneskilled in the art because conventional writing utensil 10 s maintainthe ink 45 in a rigid casing that is not deformably resilient oragitated from an external force exerted by a tip of the user's fingerduring writing conditions.

The writing utensil 10 may further include a cap 30 removably attachedto the distal end of the body 20. Such a cap 30 may thereby shield thenozzle 40 from undesirably foreign debris during non-writing conditions.

The present invention may further include a method for using a writingutensil 10 that is controlled by a single finger tip of a user. Such amethod may include the chronological steps of first providing a singleand unitary body 20. The body 20 may include a sleeve 43 formed thereinand preferably has an orifice 44 formed at a distal end of the body 20.The sleeve 43 preferably has a closed distal end disposed proximal tothe ink 45 and the orifice 44 respectively.

A second step of the method may include housing a predetermined quantityof ink 45 within the body 20 by injecting the ink 45 upwardly throughthe orifice 44. The method may include a third step of maintaining theink 45 distal to the sleeve 43 by attaching a nozzle 40 to the orifice44.

Fourthly, the method may include inserting a single finger tip into thesleeve 43 during writing conditions such that the single finger tipabuts against the closed distal end of the sleeve 43. Finally, a fifthstep may include releasing the ink 45 from the distal end of the body 20by applying an external force against the closed distal end of thesleeve 43 and towards the distal end of the body 20 and thereby urgingthe ink 45 out from the nozzle 40. The body 20 may be formed fromflexible and non-porous material for prohibiting the ink 45 fromprematurely leaking through the body 20.

While the invention has been described with respect to a certainspecific embodiment, it will be appreciated that many modifications andchanges may be made by those skilled in the art without departing fromthe spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, by the appendedclaims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within thetrue spirit and scope of the invention.

In particular, with respect to the above description, it is to berealized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of thepresent invention may include variations in size, materials, shape,form, function and manner of operation. The assembly and use of thepresent invention are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilledin the art.

1. A writing utensil controlled by a single finger tip for enabling auser to easily write with the single finger tip, said writing utensilcomprising: a body comprising a sleeve formed therein and being adaptedto receive the single finger tip during writing conditions; apredetermined quantity of ink housed within said body and maintaineddistal to said sleeve; and means for releasing said ink from a distalend of said body when an external force is applied against said sleeveand towards said distal end of said body; wherein said body is formedfrom flexible and non-porous material for prohibiting said ink fromprematurely leaking through said body.
 2. The writing utensil of claim1, wherein said ink releasing means comprises: a reservoir oppositelypositioned from said sleeve such that said reservoir is distally spacedaway from said sleeve; an orifice formed at a distal-most end of saidbody and being in fluid communication with said reservoir; and a nozzleprovided with a plug dynamically fitted at a distal tip of said plug,wherein said nozzle is conjoined directly to said orifice andcontiguously abutted thereagainst so that said ink is discharged awayfrom said reservoir past said ball bearing while exiting said distal tipof said nozzle.
 3. The writing utensil of claim 2, wherein said sleevehas a deformably resilient inner layer adjoining said reservoir, saidinner layer being displaced towards said reservoir during writingconditions such that said reservoir becomes compressed and thereby urgessaid ink towards said distal tip of said nozzle.
 4. The writing utensilof claim 2, wherein said distal tip of said nozzle is expanded to atensed position when the external force is exerted against said plug tothereby permit said ink to flow beyond said plug during writingprocedures.
 5. The writing utensil of claim 2, wherein a proximal end ofsaid nozzle remains statically affixed to said orifice while said distaltip of said nozzle is expanded to the tensed position.
 6. The writingutensil of claim 2, wherein said plug comprises: a ball bearingpermanently connected to said nozzle during writing and non-writingconditions.
 7. The writing utensil of claim 2, wherein said reservoir iscompressed when an external force is urged against an outer surface ofsaid distal end of said body such that said ink is downwardly dischargedthrough said orifice and said nozzle respectively.
 8. The writingutensil of claim 2, further comprising: a cap removably attached to saiddistal end of said body and thereby shielding said nozzle fromundesirably foreign debris during non-writing conditions.
 9. A writingutensil controlled by a single finger tip for enabling a user to easilywrite with the single finger tip, said writing utensil comprising: asingle and unitary body comprising a sleeve formed therein and beingadapted to receive the single finger tip during writing conditions; apredetermined quantity of ink housed within said body and maintaineddistal to said sleeve; and means for releasing said ink from a distalend of said body when an external force is applied against said sleeveand towards said distal end of said body; wherein said body is formedfrom flexible and non-porous material for prohibiting said ink fromprematurely leaking through said body; wherein said sleeve has a closeddistal end disposed proximal to said ink and said ink releasing meansrespectively.
 10. The writing utensil of claim 9, wherein said inkreleasing means comprises: a reservoir oppositely positioned from saidsleeve such that said reservoir is distally spaced away from saidsleeve; an orifice formed at a distal-most end of said body and being influid communication with said reservoir; and a nozzle provided with aplug dynamically fitted at a distal tip of said plug, wherein saidnozzle is conjoined directly to said orifice and contiguously abuttedthereagainst so that said ink is discharged away from said reservoirpast said ball bearing while exiting said distal tip of said nozzle. 11.The writing utensil of claim 10, wherein said sleeve has a deformablyresilient inner layer adjoining said reservoir, said inner layer beingdisplaced towards said reservoir during writing conditions such thatsaid reservoir becomes compressed and thereby urges said ink towardssaid distal tip of said nozzle.
 12. The writing utensil of claim 10,wherein said distal tip of said nozzle is expanded to a tensed positionwhen the external force is exerted against said plug to thereby permitsaid ink to flow beyond said plug during writing procedures.
 13. Thewriting utensil of claim 10, wherein a proximal end of said nozzleremains statically affixed to said orifice while said distal tip of saidnozzle is expanded to the tensed position.
 14. The writing utensil ofclaim 10, wherein said plug comprises: a ball bearing permanentlyconnected to said nozzle during writing and non-writing conditions. 15.The writing utensil of claim 10, wherein said reservoir is compressedwhen an external force is urged against an outer surface of said distalend of said body such that said ink is downwardly discharged throughsaid orifice and said nozzle respectively.
 16. The writing utensil ofclaim 10, further comprising: a cap removably attached to said distalend of said body and thereby shielding said nozzle from undesirablyforeign debris during non-writing conditions.
 17. A method for using awriting utensil that is controlled by a single finger tip of a user,said method comprising the chronological steps of: a. providing a singleand unitary body comprising a sleeve formed therein, said body furtherhaving an orifice formed at a distal end of said body, said sleevehaving a closed distal end disposed proximal to said ink and saidorifice respectively; b. housing a predetermined quantity of ink withinsaid body by injecting said ink upwardly through said orifice; c.maintaining said ink distal to said sleeve by attaching a nozzle to saidorifice; d. inserting the single finger tip into said sleeve duringwriting conditions such that the single finger tip abuts against saidclosed distal end of said sleeve; and e. releasing said ink from saiddistal end of said body by applying an external force against saidclosed distal end of said sleeve and towards said distal end of saidbody and thereby urging said ink out from said nozzle; wherein said bodyis formed from flexible and non-porous material for prohibiting said inkfrom prematurely leaking through said body.